Is your beautiful concrete driveway looking a little worse for the wear? Out of the nation’s 137 million homes, almost 80% are over 20 years old and many are much older. If your home is one of the older ones, chances are, your driveway is too.
Driveways last a long time, but they do break down. The wear and tear from bad weather and the weight of your car mean sometimes you’ll need some repairs.
When it comes to renovations and upgrades, don’t neglect an older driveway.
Here are 5 signs it’s time to invest in some driveway repair.
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Pooling Water
It’s normal for some pooling of water on the surface of your driveway after heavy rain. Let the kids go wild jumping in and splashing about.
If the pools linger, then you’ve got problems. A well installed driveway has a slight grade to keep water from pooling and lingering on the surface too long.
If pools of water stay on the surface of your driveway, it may be time for a concrete contractor.
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Cracks Forming Across the Surface
Over time, the ground shifts sometimes causing cracks in the surface of your concrete driveway. If you live in a cold climate, water can get in and freeze and thaw which causes more cracking.
A few shallow cracks across the top of your driveway aren’t a huge problem. When the cracks get bigger on an older driveway, it’s time for a driveway repair.
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Potholes and Missing Pieces
You hate potholes on the road because they’re bad for your car. The same goes for your driveway.
Potholes form slowly over time from small cracks and expand as the ground shifts underneath. The weight of your car is an added cause of potholes.
If you see potholes forming, get them fixed soon so they don’t turn into bigger problems.
The same goes for missing chunks. Missing chunks sometimes happen near the edge of the driveway from the constant wear and tear of the cars going in and out. Get these repaired as soon as possible,
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Warping or Sloping and Unevenness
Sometimes driveways aren’t put over a proper foundation. This can cause warping, sloping, or unevenness down the road.
These issues don’t always mean the foundation wasn’t installed right but it’s good to get them checked out. If the sloping is due to a bad foundation, the driveway could collapse at some point.
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Change of Surface Color
Does the driveway look old and worn? Is the color faded?
Weather, time, and UV rays all play a part in fading the surface color of your driveway. Chemicals leaking from your car also damage the driveway’s surface.
Applying a good driveway sealer might be all you need for this fix! If you have any doubts, call a professional.
Signs You Need a Driveway Repair
If you have one or more of these 5 signs, it’s time for a driveway repair. Maintaining your driveway in good condition is as important as other household maintenance tasks.
Spending a little money on repairs avoids spending a lot of money on a new driveway later. If your driveway needs repairs, consult a professional so you get the job done right.
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